Water sport device



April 3, 1934. w. M. MARSH WATER SPORT 'DEVICE 'Filed May 24, 1930 mfm VE ZKM/am F77. Wam/f Patented 1934 STATES 6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in a water sport device and more particularly to a sled adapted for towing by speed boats.

The preferred embodiment of this invention discloses a water or aqua-sled adapted to support the weight of one or more persons when being drawn over the water by a speed boat.

Prior to this invention many and varied devices of this general class have been utilized. A majority of these devices are of a shape not unlike a toboggan and, unless unusually large in size, will not support the weight of one person when at rest in the water. Furthermore, devices now in use are of such form as to require considerable skill to ride and, Vas a result, are not particularly safe nor well adapted for general use by those unskilled in the sport of riding water sleds. Y

In the following specication is disclosed a water sied having a hull which is curved upwardly toward the bow. Approximately two thirds back from the bow a step is formed by which -to give the sled a greater planing effect when in motion. The sled, being entirely enclosed, contains several air-tight compartments which cause it to ride high in the water when in motion and to sustain the weight of a person when at rest. The fact that there'are several air-tight compartments in the'sled lends a factor of safety for, in case of a collision or' other accident, the device willvsustain the weight of many persons clinging thereto.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device of this class having means by which to decrease its resistance to movement over the water.

Another object is to provide a device having an air compartment by which to increase its buoyancy.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device having sufficient buoyancy to support the weight of one or more persons when at rest in water.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device having means by which to decrease the possibility of side slip in turning.

Other and further objects of the invention may be understood from a consideration of the following specication which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of one modication of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional '1 View taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and shows a longitudinal step adapted to prevent side slip when the sled is in a turn;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure 1 and shows a transverse step by which the sled is assisted in riding on the surface of the water; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional perspective view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 and shows further details of construction. v

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is comprised of two integral sections 12 and 13. The top'li and side rails 15 extend the full length-of the hull. The bottom wall, however, is divided into two parts and denes the sections 12 and 13. The bow of the sled is formed with a transverse rail 18 to which the top, side rails and bottom are fastened. The bottom wall 17 is formed from three longitudinal sections 19, 20 and 21, the intermediate section 20 being made to overlap in joints 22 substantially as shown in Figure 5. Shoulders 23, created by the overlapped section 20, when the sled is making a turn, present a surface which tends to prevent side slip and the inevitable upsetting of the sled. The intermediate section 20 is arranged with an overlap of decreasing thickness relative to sections 19 and 21 toward the bow substantially as shown in Figure 4. At 910 the bow, and adjacent the rail 18, a rabbeted joint 25 is formed by the section 20 with the sections 19 and 21.

The transverse supports 26, 27 and 28 which form center portions or chambers are of increasing height toward the rear to provide the upward curve of the bottom sections 19, 20 and 21 toward the bow. The side rails 15 have curved lower edges corresponding to the height of the supports. All seams of the section are waterproofed to produce three air-tight compartments 29, 30 and 31.

Adjacent the support 28, the side rails 15 are cut upwardly from their under edges to provide a step 33. From this step the lower edge of the rail curves downwardly and continues substantially parallel with the upper edge of the stern of the sled. The bottom 34 of section 12 is comprised of three longitudinal sections 35, 36

and 37. The intermediate section 36 is made to I110 overlap the edges of sections and 37 to form shoulders 39 which correspond to the shoulders 23 on the forward section 13. It may be readily understood that by producing a rib or shoulder the full length of the sled, the tendency of said sled to side slip when turning will be greatly reduced, if not wholly eliminated.

The forward end of section 12 is provided with a small transverse support 41 which is secured to the bottom 34, side rails 15 and support 28. Between the support 41 and the stern support 42, of this section, are intermediate supports 43 and 44.

In assembling the sled, the transverse supports for both sections 12 and 13 are first mounted and secured between the vertical longitudinal rails 15. The bottom of each section'is Vnext mounted, the bow and stern sections 18 and 42V secured in place and the top 14 joined to and overlapping the side rails 15 and sections 18 and 42. It will be noted that by reason of the airtight compartments formed in each of the sections .12 and 13, should an accident occur and partially demolish the sled, the remainder thereof will have sufcient buoyancy, with one or more compartments remaining intact, to support the weight of several persons clinging thereto.

Mounted on the forward end of the sled and secured thereto in any desired manner are brackets 46. Pivotally connected with these brackets is a U-shaped rod 47. This rod is adapted to be grasped by the rider of the sled and enable him to stand erect, being upwardly and downwardly pivoted. Rings 48 are provided on each bracket for the purpose of securing a tow rope to the sled.

While applicant has shown and described but onev modification of his invention it is obvious that other modifications or adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the hereunto anneXed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device lfor towing at high speed over the water, a hull, a bottom wall comprising transversely stepped tandem sections, upwardly curved walls` dening the forward end of the bottom of each of said sections, the remainder of each of `said sections being substantially parallel with the topsaid sections being unequal in length 'whereby to cause said hull, when in motion, to ride on a substantially even keel.

2. In a device for towing at high speed over the water, a hull, a bottom wall comprising transversely stepped tandem sections, upwardly curved walls defining the forward end of the bottom of each of said sections, the remainder of each of said sections being substantially parallel with the top of said device, and central longitudinally extending shoulders in each of said sections, said shoulders preventing side slip of either of said sections.

3. In a device for towing at high speed over the water, a hull, a bottom wall comprising transversely stepped tandem sections, upwardly curved walls defining the forward end of the bottom of each of said sections, the remainder of each of said sections -being substantially parallel with the top of said device and central longitudinally extending shoulders in each of said sections, said shoulders preventing side slip of either of said sections, said front section being of greater length than said rear section whereby said hull, when in motion, is caused to ride on a-substantially even keel.

4. A non-self propelled device designed for being towed over the water comprising a hull, said hull being relatively shallow throughout its en tire length, a transverse step in the under face of said hull, said step, when said device is in motion, serving to maintain said device on a substantially even keel.

5. A non-self propelled device specically designed for being towed over the water comprising a hull, said hull having relatively shallow upstanding walls, means bridging certain of the walls of said hull, said means serving to support a user of the device, and a transverse step in said hull, said step actingl to maintain said device on a substantially even keel when in motion.

6. A non-self propelled device specifically designed for being towed over the water comprising a hull, said hull having relatively shallow upstanding walls, means bridging certain of the walls of said hull, said means serving to support aluser of the device, and a transverse step in said hull, said step dividing said hull into forward and rearward sections which, when said device is in motion, act to maintain said device on a substantially even keel. l

WILLIAM M. MARSH. 

